NEW CASTLE —
Education in America has become an expensive — and controversial — process.
In recent years, the nation has moved toward more standardized testing to assess the progress of students. Pennsylvania is involved in this effort.
And the commonwealth has pursued other changes, mainly designed to explore innovation and alternatives to regular classrooms. Key among these are charter and cyber schools.
These types of educational facilities are structured in a variety of ways. And in some instances, cyber education allows students to remain at home. These educational alternatives are based on the belief that at least some students can perform better outside of traditional classrooms. Plus, it’s argued that competition from other sources may force troubled public schools to clean up their acts.
But not everyone agrees with these assessments. Critics contend that alternative forms of education fare no better than traditional instruction. And rather than spurring competition, alternative forms of education merely drain essential dollars from regular classrooms.
For instance, in 2011, Stanford University released a report of Pennsylvania charter schools which found mixed results when comparing math and reading scores with traditional schools. The same study found cyber students in Pennsylvania performed below the level of students in regular classrooms.
Now comes a controversy over this year’s data regarding Adequate Yearly Progress and charter schools. AYP is a key measurement the state uses to assess school performance. Although various data goes into determining AYP, a big part involves standardized test scores.
Officially, 59 percent of charter schools in the state met AYP, compared to 50 percent of public schools. But foes of charter schools say only 37 percent of charter schools actually met AYP, because the state department of education changed the way they were being measured.
Basically, the issue is whether to treat a charter school as an individual school, or as a school district. The education department contends there is nothing wrong with changing how charter schools are treated, but a spokesman for the department acknowledged to The Associated Press that the way the data is presented “does mask potential academic problems.”
While we acknowledge the case could be made either way on how charter school performance is calculated, we’re not sure either figure offers much to crow about. If 59 percent of charter schools make AYP, that means 41 percent are missing the mark.
The issue here isn’t traditional school vs. charter. The issue is providing education in an effective and cost efficient manner. Pennsylvania should be pursuing that effort, not playing a numbers game.
Editorials
Our Opinion: Dispute over progress numbers misses point of education
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Our Opinion: State audit says city school district failed to collect from non-residents
Audit information about non-resident students who didn’t pay tuition at New Castle raises more questions than it answers. At least so far. We expect more details when the Pennsylvania auditor general’s office completes its report and the New Castle school district provides its response.
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Our Opinion: Make the most of your power to vote by casting ballot tomorrow
So what kind of turnout will there be for tomorrow’s primary? Recent history suggests somewhere between low and lousy. This year’s elections are devoted to local races, and there are few major ones being contested in the primary.
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Our Opinion: Privatization of county jail is worthy of examination
Generally speaking, we support government efforts to seek more efficient ways to provide essential services. So we have no problem with the decision by the Lawrence County commissioners to solicit proposals for the private operation of the county jail.
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Our Opinion: We endorse candidates for New Castle board
The New Castle school district is often a study in contrasts. There are complaints about the district on everything from taxes to nepotism, from test scores to ethical slights. Yet at the same time, plenty of students within the district excel. It’s a tribute to the hard work of those students, their families and the educators who support them.
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Our Opinion: You should be frightened, outraged by IRS abuse of power
When people talk about government posing a threat to citizens, a common topic these days is unmanned drones. But a more credible threat may be the Internal Revenue Service. This agency, responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing related rules, has the ability to make life miserable for the average individual.
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Our Opinion: Our endorsements for City Council race
The city of New Castle needs help. Financially distressed and operating under Pennsylvania’s Act 47, New Castle must find ways to reverse its population loss and fiscal challenges.
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Our Opinion: Court frowns on gerrymandering, but only slightly
Pennsylvania legislators have received the green light to put their own political interests ahead of yours. That’s a key point in the latest Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on legislative apportionment in the commonwealth.
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Our Opinion: Study says distracted driving deaths are under reported
Suppose you operated a piece of heavy machinery at your job. And suppose it’s machinery that moves quickly with little effort. What would happen if you decided to take one hand off that equipment — while it was still in motion — and instead focused your attention on a telephone call?
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Our Opinion: Senate seeks to give states more taxing power
Congress is taking a stab at tax fairness. At least, where states are concerned. If you’re looking for meaningful reform of the federal tax code, that’s going to have to wait.
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Our Opinion: Look at handling of bombing suspects is warranted
We welcome an investigation into the handling of intelligence related to suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing. That probe may reveal little of value.
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Our Opinion: State audit says city school district failed to collect from non-residents
